Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="Numenorean" data-source="post: 2280564" data-attributes="member: 7264">Interesting topic.For starters, my ranger is 11th level. He fights with a +2 longsword, and a +3 shortsword. His STR is 18. His attacks using TWF are LS +16/+11/+6, and the same for the shortsword SS +16/+11/+6. His damage with the LS is 1d8+6, and 1d6+5 with the SS. Add in improved critical for the LS and he does a lot of damage. My point, I'm happy with a TWF character atm.When it comes to the various fighting styles you have to realize that each is different and will have certain situational pros and cons. However in the spirit of maintaining game quality, each style should be loosely balanced throughout the length of the game. I stress "loosely".I'm pretty happy with the styles in 3.5e, but I feel the two handed weapon style is not always the best balanced. Something us old schooler AD&D players might call "monty haul". You could do the following to correct the styles(?):1. Remove the -2/-2 penalty for fighting TWF (given you have the feat) with light/light or 1h/light.2. Remove the double power attack bonus for two handed weapons. You already get an improved strengtht bonus, you generally get higher damage dice, etc.3. Increase the shield bonus across the board (pun.. lol). Some of you say how a +2 doesn't mean much when you get higher level, and that I agree with. But don't slouch at a +4, +5, or +7 bonus when you start getting nice magical shields. Maybe shields need to grant a +2 or +3 AC bonus? Or if you take a shield feat you get some sort of combat expertise option when using your shield? This would take some play testing to figure out. My ranger also has improved shield bash as a feat. He carries a +2 light steel magical shield. In some situations I sling the shield, get a +3 AC boost, and I off-hand bash with it. In our campaign you get the + magical enhancement to your ATK and damage with a shield, but still the shield and weapon style isn't that bad.A fundamental problem in 3e is the imbalance between offense and defense especially as you get to mid and high levels (6th+); in terms of ATK, DMG, and their relation to AC. This problem is the root cause of the weapon style problems we're discussing on here IMO. As you get to the mid and high levels Armor Class becomes basically irrelevant, and thats the problem. No previous edition of D&D had the level of imbalance between melee offense and defense as 3e does. I believe if this problem was remedied, if AC stayed more relevant, then it would bring balance to the different weapon styles.</blockquote>

Verification